Difference between a CNA and PCT

Patient care technicians (PCTs) and certified nursing assistants play vital role in the nursing field. Both carry out their duties in the similar work settings; however, their tasks may differ slightly. Both professions are different, so students should not be confused between both careers. The requirements and scope of work of the nurse aides and PCTs are determined separately by each state.

Let’s discuss in detail the difference between both the professions.

1. Educational Requirements

To be a CNA, you are required to have a high school diploma or GED. Besides, you must possess an active nurse aide license.

A nurse aide licensure, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate or phlebotomy certificate are compulsory requirements to work as a patient care technician.

2. Program

A candidate must complete the CNA Program program through a vocational, technical or community college. The duration of the program depends on the requirements of the state. It involves classroom instructions and clinical practice and lasts for four to six weeks. Some nursing assistant programs also include the coursework of PCT program.

PCT programs may vary in content as per the requirements of the state. PCT programs may take 20 to 24 weeks to complete and include some advance courses like ECG and phlebotomy.

3. Licensing and Certification

A candidate must qualify the state certification exam after completing the program program to earn CNA certificate. This certificate must be renewed after every 2 years.

License requirements for PCTs differ from state to state. Some states require you to possess certificate to draw blood or a phlebotomy license while other states may necessitate the candidates to possess a certificate, if they wish to work with patients undergoing dialysis treatments. A patient care technician is also required to obtain a license, in order to perform some advanced duties in some states such as license for ECG.

4. Work Experience

No work experience is required to start working as a CNA. But to be a PCT, you must have work experience as a nurse aide, ECG technician or phlebotomist.

5. Scope of Practice

A CNA has a limited scope of practice as compared to a PCT. Nursing assistants provide only basic care to the patients. They are not allowed to take decisions on their own. They can’t carry out the duties of a PCT.

A patient care technician has authority to provide basic medical treatments to the patients and perform the duties of a CNA.

Besides above mentioned work settings, a PCT can also work in cancer clinics, blood banks and dialysis clinics.

8. Salary

In May 2018, the average salary of Patient Care Technician was reported to be $12.85 per hour (according to indeed.com). As per payscale.com, the average median salary of PCT, in May 2018, was reported to be between $21,307 and $38,171 while the hourly income fluctuated from $10.19 to $17.46.

The mean hourly income of nursing assistants in May 2017 was $13.23 while the mean annual salary was $28,540 (as per the statistics of the BLS).

The role of Certified Nursing Assistants is to pursue the career with real reward of serving others. Get all the relevant information regarding CNA exam, certification, salary, and much more to get the best opportunity in this field.